Holla At Me Raider Nation!
 
So, we've all had our first little nibbles of "Raider Football". I  don't know how you feel about the whole situation my brothers and sisters but, I've got three words for ya: FEED ME MORE!!

Now, say what you want about the Raiders moving in a "new direction". In my view these "new" Raiders look an awful lot like the "old" Raiders; At least they do on the offensive side of the ball. Offensively the Raiders should be dangerous!

We've got the quarterback. The running back(s). The wide receivers. The tight end. The offensive line; Well, we've got most of the offensive line. We've got the BIG play threats, and we've got the guys who can keep the chains moving when we need to.

The Raiders should, and will score points this season. The key to victory however, does not lie in how many points you score; The Key to victory lies in stopping your opponent from scoring more than you do!

Which brings us to new head coach Dennis Allen.

I was involved in a round table discussion regarding our head coaching situation the other day with some fellow Raider fanatics. The end result? While we're all hoping (or should that be praying?) for the best, the truth of the matter is that we can't say for certain what is going to happen in the future.

For example, we were discussing the Tom Cable situation.

Now, while we agreed that Cable did a decent job as a first time head coach, and that he could have been brought back for another year. We also know that (generally speaking) he was brought in to improve the offensive line. The perception was that there wasn't enough improvement with the play of that unit, and as a result Cable was fired.

Next up was Hue Jackson.

Jackson, like his predecessor Cable for the most part did a decent job as a first time head coach; More so when you take into consideration ALL that he had to endure during his one year in Oakland.

Jackson, as we will remember was brought in (again, generally speaking) to improve the teams offensive production.

Not going into too much detail as to why but the offense did not improve as much as (now) Raider Master & Commander Reggie McKenzie would have liked so, as we know Hue Jackson was also fired.
Enter Dennis Allen. Oakland's first defensive minded head coach since the days of John Madden. Now, I personally don't expect to see Dennis Allen get fired after one year. However, this is Oakland, and ANYTHING can happen. 

As I just stated Tom Cable was brought in to improve the offensive line. He was also fired for the unit not improving enough. Hue Jackson was brought in for offensive improvement. Jackson, like Cable was also fired, in part due to a lack of production.

Last season the Raiders defense gave up the third most points in the history of the franchise. The team finished the season ranked 28th in points allowed, and it was a total defensive team effort. The Raiders gave up over 30 touchdown passes; While the teams rushing defense did not fair any better, allowing a 5.0 yard per carry total to opposing running backs.

Moreover, the Raiders finished the season by missing the playoffs (again).

I can't see how things could get any worse. However, one can't help but wonder what is going to happen with Dennis Allen if the Raiders defense falls on its collective eye patch.

With Dennis Allen being new to the head coaching ranks we already knew, and at this point he now knows that he's got a lot on his plate. Moreover, as a defensive specialist head coach one can't help but to wonder what the Raiders defense will really look like this season, for a number of reasons.

First, we have to mention the Raiders new defensive coordinator Jason Tarver. Nothing against Tarver however, he wasn't the teams first choice, he wasn't the teams second choice, hell, he wasn't even the teams third choice.

At least Tarver wasn't running a bed and breakfast before Oakland called upon him, as has been the case with past coordinators, but I digress. I believe that Jason can, and will get the job done, but you've got to be a just bit concerned that someone so far down the teams depth chart is now the man (sort of) in charge of the Raiders defense.

Allen, and Tarver aren't the only new coaches in Oakland with a great deal of defensive responsibility. New linebackers coach Johnny Holland, who took over for the very popular ex-Raider Greg Biekert, is also a man with a lot on his plate.

Along with fellow defensive staff members: Clayton Lopez, Johnnie Lynn, and the man with two of the three initials that make up my name, Terrell Williams.

 Clayton Lopez is one of the "new", old Raiders. Raider Nation may remember that he was a member of Oakland's defensive backfield coaching staff during in the 04/05 season. He will be joined this year by first time staff member Johnnie Lynn (who spent last season coaching the Eagles defensive backfield).

Terrell Williams is someone that I'm going to be keeping an eye on as well (and not just because he's got my first name). This will be Williams first year as a defensive line coach on the professional level.

A great deal of time has been spent on whether or not the Raiders will be moving to the 3-4 as opposed to their more traditional 4-3 defensive front. Des Bryant, Matt Shaughnessy, Richard Seymour, & Tommy Kelly should be the front four, for Oakland. None of these men are physically imposing enough to play the nose in a 3-4 defense.

Moreover, the Raiders DO NOT have the linebackers that they would need to run a successful 3-4 defense. Therefore, no matter what you hear expect the Raiders to use the 4-3 defense this year; However, I wouldn't be surprised to see them rotate players in and out more, and look to setup some mis-matches.

The Raiders also (so they say) are moving away from their traditional man coverage, and have two new corner men. However, I still would expect to see the Raiders man-up more than I would expect them to be in some sort of zone coverage.

As I just mentioned, the Raiders say that their going to move away from man coverage, and have two new corner men in Ronald Bartell, and Shawntae Spencer. The problem (as some would see it) other than moving away from man coverage is that both Bartell and Spencer were released from their former teams, and both are on the other side of 30 years of age.

Furthermore, many in Raider Nation (myself included) are not ready to give up on DeMarcus Van Dyke, or Chimdi Chekwa. Both Van Dyke and Chekwa got to get in some playing time last season, and both (especially Van Dyke) should be poised to make big plays for Oakland in the secondary this season.

The defensive backfield is not the only area of interest. You all know (or should know) how I feel about our offensive line, however the defensive line could also be an area of concern. Both Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour are not players that one would say are "on the rise".

Richard Seymour, while in great shape will be entering into his 13th year. Tommy Kelly will be playing in his 10th season. Playing time management, as well as injury management will be key factors in their performance on the Oakland defensive line.
In between the defensive line, and the secondary we have the linebackers. This area of the defense looks like it might be the greatest cause for concern. The Raiders will be looking to replace both Quentin Groves and Kameron Wimbley.

Furthermore, I know that everyone has heard about Rolando McClain, and his trouble with the law. What also has Raider fans upset is the fact that McClain has been a disappointment on the field since being drafted by Oakland. 

If by some chance McClain does end up in prison during the season (can't believe I just typed that) Oakland will turn to the "still needs to prove himself" Travis Goethel. Who's Travis Goethel? for more info on the L.B. check our fellow Raider Nation Times writer David Wilson's article.

The other linebacker to keep an "eye" on would be free agent pick up Philip Wheeler. Wheeler, who spend last season with the Colts will not be the pass rushing threat that Wimbley was. However, he should be a "tackle machine" for our Oakland Raiders. In only 13 games with the Colts Wheeler managed to make damm near 100 tackles (believe the actual total was 85).

However, the linebacking corps, and their production (or lack there of) is something that Raider Nation is going to have to keep an "eye" on during this upcoming season.

This season the Raiders will only go as far as their defense can take them. A healthy McFadden combined with Carson Palmer having a full off (if there is such a thing) season to work with the team should mean that offensively Oakland is ready.

The defense is the question.

Can the defensive line hold up? What is going to happen with the linebackers?

Can Oakland finally stop the run? Who will be in the secondary? and What defenses will the team be running, and when?

I don't expect to have the answers to these questions after a two week work out in May/June. However, by the end of the pre-season we should have a clearer picture. One thing we can say for certain at this point is that defensive cohesion is going to be vital for Oakland success.